He then told me he had a client who wanted me to do a voiceover in a big-budget sequel and was offering me $200,000. He just needed a recorded sample of my voice. I gave him one and heard nothing back. Next he told me he had a client who wanted my T-shirt designs to sell in his store and asked me to give him a sample of my portfolio. Over the next few months, I heard "He's interested" or "He wants to think it over."

Then he told me he was starting an arms export company and wanted to send me to South Africa as his representative. At this I said, "Are you insane? I could get killed dealing weapons in South Africa. It's not even legal!" He told me not to worry; he'd hire a Navy SEAL to go with me. This therapist told me that he has top security clearance. I soon discontinued therapy.

Here's the problem: I suspect he made this stuff up to keep me coming back for more sessions. I saw him for several months and spent more than $12,000. Would I have grounds to sue him and have his license revoked? I feel he might've crossed some boundaries. — Swindled?

Dear Swin: Might have crossed some boundaries? It wouldn't surprise me if the guy had no license to yank and got the Ph.D. from a Cracker Jack box. This quack is clearly a con man, but do check with the licensing board, just in case, and by all means feel free to sue him for misrepresentation, malpractice (if applicable) and whatever the charge is for con-mannery. You might want to see an actual therapist about your extreme gullibility. — Margo, amazedly

Closing Down Ms. Busybody

Dear Margo: I'm 25, and many of my peers are getting married and starting families. I've been in a solid relationship for six years, but I'm not yet engaged because neither of us is financially ready, though someday I see it happening. I'm fairly content with this for the time being, but I am bothered by a co-worker who enjoys pushing my buttons.

Anytime there's an opportunity, she brings it up, asking why I'm not engaged, why aren't I getting married yet, don't I want to start having babies? This woman in particular is the worst because she sets a pretty bad example: She got pregnant as a teenager and is now heading toward her second divorce. I'm also not about to propose and buy myself a ring, so getting engaged is kind of out of my control. Do you have any suggestions for a snappy comeback that isn't rude enough to get myself in trouble? — Perfectly Happy for Now

Dear Per: Your co-worker, the one with amnesia, sounds a bit on the dim side, socially speaking. The next time she starts in, you might answer, "Life is really very nice now the way it is, and we really want to be sure. Don't you think that's a good idea?" — Margo, dismissively

Like Two Ships in the Night

Dear Margo: I love my husband very much, but he has some OCD traits, and over the years they've gotten worse. (We're both in our 60s.) He's retired but still "working." He spends all day on the computer, checking security updates, reading a list of forums that interest him and doing other things he deems essential. If we go out in the evening, which is rare, he speaks of "getting behind" in his "work." The list of stuff he "has to do" has gradually pushed our dinnertime later and later. Added to all this is the fact that he has a lot of medical problems and sleeps very poorly, so he often gets up around 1:00 pm or later in the day. The result of all this is that he now expects me to eat dinner with him at 10 or 10:30 at night.

I am a morning person. I really hate eating late, going to bed even later, and getting up the next day at noon — which is what happens if I go along with his schedule. I have talked to him about changing, and he claims he's trying to do so, but it never happens. I have my own friends and an active social life without him, but I'm still not happy. I miss the husband I used to have. Is there anything I can do to change this situation? — Missing Him

Dear Miss: Your husband's "work" sounds harmless enough. I believe it's his schedule that's throwing a monkey wrench into your life. For the OCD situation, as well as the schedule he has slipped into, I would recommend a therapist and also a psychopharmacologist, since there are effective meds with which to treat OCD. I think if that happens, you can "get him back" and his vampire hours will moderate. Having your own activities is the right thing to do. As for dinner at 10 (just like Spain!), I suggest you eat separately and keep the schedule that's comfortable for you until he gets both help and results. — Margo, hopefully

Being Rude Via Text Message

Dear Margo: Yesterday, my daughter's 14-year-old friend "Sarah" was disrespectful to me in a text message when I asked her to pass some information along to the coach of their team. (My daughter was home sick, and I did not have the coach's information to reach her myself.) The text message bothered me all day, and I have no idea how to deal with it. I know the girl's mother very well. She is a wonderful person, and we get along well. She would be beside herself if she knew that Sarah texted me what she did.

Do I say something to this kid next time I see her? Do I mention it to her mother? I am getting conflicting opinions from friends. I'm afraid that if I don't speak my mind, I will have a difficult time containing my feelings of disappointment the next time Sarah is at my house. My daughter is very upset at what transpired, but Sarah is known to have attitude issues. It often surprises me that they are friends, but my daughter is very honest about telling Sarah that her attitude needs to change. I don't want my daughter to get involved, so I am not expecting her to say anything about this. — Irked Mom

Dear Irk: This rude kid is 14. You are ... well, you are older. I would not get down on the kid's level to set her straight. If you were to bring up the text message, it would mean absolutely nothing to this teenager with attitude, so spare yourself the agita. What would be good is if your daughter told her she didn't appreciate it. But I would not lean on your child to do this. When next she is at your house, I would be correct, but chilly. — Margo, maturely

Dear Margo is written by Margo Howard, Ann Landers' daughter. All letters must be sent via e-mail to dearmargo@creators.com. Due to a high volume of e-mail, not all letters will be answered.

COPYRIGHT 2011 MARGO HOWARD